Jaitapur rally becomes a show of strength for Shiv Sena

The Shiv Sena rally at Jaitapur turned out to be a show of strength for the saffron party. More than 50,000 anti- Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project (JNPP) protestors turning up for the rally at Mithgavane, a village near Jaitapur, on Saturday.

The proposed 9,900 MW nuclear plant is drawing huge protests from the locals who claim it will damage the environment and their livelihood.

The venue was filled with posters on the recent earthquake at Fukushima at Japan, where people are facing a threat from the nuclear tragedy that took place owing to the quake.

Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray, who led the rally, threatened to intensify the agitation and played the anti-Congress, pro-Konkan card. “We will carry out more agitations in future if we do not see the project getting scrapped. Do not try my patience. What will happen after it runs off will not be my responsibility,” Thackeray said, threatening the government.

Thackeray said that the Sena has always seen support from them in the time of need and so it’s payback time for the Sena to stand by the people of Konkan in their fight against the nuclear plant.

“The Congress government , whom you stood by, is no longer standing by you and selling your land. They are also arresting people who are sons of the soil, who were asking for their rights. It is time you gave Congress an answer and finished its existence in Konkan,” Thackeray said.

Thackeray also targeted Congress minister and former Sena leader Narayan Rane challenging him to come to Jaitapur without any police protection. Sena’s campaign saw a huge presence from the Muslims from a village called Sakhri- Navre.

Sena leader Ramdas Kadam reminded them not to be used as a vote bank in the hands of the Congress party.